Don't Doubt

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080712.cfm) , specifically the gospel, reminds us not to doubt God’s power. See excerpt

At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter said to him in reply,
"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come."
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;
and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him,
and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
"Truly, you are the Son of God."

What a remarkable sight it must have been. Seeing Jesus walking on water and asking you to step out of the water and come to him. Peter did just fine at first, but when he let the world distract him, when he lost his focus on God, he began to sink. Buti nalang mabait talaga si Jesus and came to his rescue!

Right now, most of us are probably feeling what Peter felt when he lost focus on God. It has been raining for more than a week now.  Since yesterday, it’s raining hard, even if there’s no typhoon in our country. We may get anxious and scared of what may happen. People think this may be another Ondoy. Well, in today’s gospel, Jesus is asking us to focus on Him and come to him. We need to have full faith in Him despite the things that are happening around us. We need to know that the winds obey him. Nothing is more powerful that God, so we just have to humbly come to him, and pray in faith as we focus on Him and his love and power.

Father God,

Thank you for your Word today that reminds us that nature is under your command. Lord, we humbly come to you in faith. We ask that you control the weather and not let us be subjected to danger. We ask you to calm not only the weather, but our heats as well. We pray for the members of our community, of families and our friends. Keep us safe, those who are at home and those stranded in the roads or office. We also pray for others who are greatly affected by the weather. Keep our country safe and protect us. May this remind us to always come to you, in humility and faith, and remember how powerful you are. May we never be too proud of comfortable not to think of you or not to take care of this earth you’ve shared with us. We ask this in full faith in Jesus’ mighty name, through the powerful intercession of Mama Mary. Amen.

Stay safe!

In Christ,

-g-

PS

Sharing with you a song by casting crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVg0cWkgAw&feature=related

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Transfiguration 2012

Today, we celebrate the feast of Jesus Transfiguration (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080612.cfm) .

In the first reading, we see how human words describe God’s power glory and dominion. Such an amazing sight to see. We could only imagine how great and majestic it really is. This shows how great and powerful God is, and how powerful Jesus, the Son of Man is, receiving dominion, glory and kingship from God.

In the gospel, we see an account of Jesus transfiguration. Jesus chooses to reveal a glimpse of his glory to three of his closest friends, the big three of the apostles – Peter, James and John. They see Jesus transfigured, and saw Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, with him. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then to cap it off, they heard God’s voice – “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”  Siguro naisip nila, iba talaga ‘tong si Jesus.

We see how great and powerful God is. We see how anointed and glorious Jesus is. This should lead us to remember and be thankful to Jesus and God. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to be separated with him in his glory and become one like us. How special we really are!

However, this should not end here. Knowing how great God is, knowing how glorious Jesus is, is not enough. The big three wanted to stay in the mountain. Syempre, ibang klase ang nakita at naramdaman nila eh. But Jesus said no. Jesus asked them to come down the mountain. What does it tell us? We should go back to reality. We should go back into the world and live the gospel. Preach the gospel. It is not enough that we know and experience how great God is. We should also go back and proclaim him to other people. That’s the challenge. That’s the work we need to do.

Do I believe God is really all powerful, all glorious? Do I know and appreciate how much God loves me? When do I experience God in a special way? Am I willing to go back to reality and work to proclaim his greatness? Where is he calling me to preach? How?

Father God,

Thank you for starting the week right. Thank you for reminding me of how great the God I am serving. Lord, help me respond to your call. Alam ko mahirap, minsan gusto ko nalang magdasal mag isa, or masaya na ako sa experience ko sa iyo. But Lord, I know you want me to act. I know you want me to move. I know you want me to make disciples for you. So I ask you Lord to give me faith to step out of my comfort zone and do what you want, so I can do my part in building your kingdom. Amen.

Have a blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

Transformed

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080512.cfm) tells us how we are and can be transformed

In the first reading, we see a people who are forgetful. They grumbled against their leaders. They quickly forgot that it was Moses who led them out of slavery. They forgot all the great things God has shown to and done for them that enabled them to be where they were. They focused too much on their current situation and needs. However, we see God not giving up on them. He took care of them and fed them daily.

In the gospel we see people following Jesus not because they believe in Him, but because they saw miracles. They saw and ate the loaves and were filled. Mahilig sila sa libre. This is Jesus version of the first reading. The way God took care of the Israelites by giving them food, Jesus also took care of the people following him. He gave them food, not only the physical bread, but more so, the spiritual food, the spiritual nourishment that we all need.

God wants to transform us, from being like these people who are after physical food, superficial things, to people really seeking spiritual nourishment. God wants to transform us to being more and more like Him. The psalm says that He takes care of us, he gives us food, not just to fill our stomach, but to fill our spirit. The second reading says that we should put on the new self and let go of our old, sinful self. How? Jesus in the gospel says to come to him, and we will be transformed.

Do I remember all the great things God has done in my life? Do I quickly forget them when I feel there is an urgent need or concern in my life? Do I look not just for physical nourishment, but more for the spiritual which only God can provide? Am I willing to come to Christ, humble myself, and allow Him to transform me to be more and more like him?

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for always providing for me. Thank you for all the things you’ve given me and for all the times you’ve been there for me. Sorry Lord if I am quick to forget these things when there seem to be an urgent concern in my life. I pray that you never tire of loving me, and as I let you love me, I know that I will be transformed and give you back the love you deserve. Amen.

Have a blessed Sunday!

In Christ.

-g-

Men of Great Faith

Today’s WORD (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080412.cfm) show us examples of men with great faith, faith that is firm until the end.

In the first reading, we see a continuation of yesterday’s story. The people wanted to put the prophet Jeremiah to death. However, this did not dampen his faith. His faith was unshaken. He still remained true to God and was rewarded for it.

The gospel tells us how John the Baptist died. He went head on against Herod, the king at that time. He did not let Herod’s power and position intimidate him. This got him in trouble with a lot of people, including Herodias who asked for his head. John was unfazed, even to the point of death. He remained true to God and his purpose of preparing the way for Christ.

In this life, it is not always easy to stand up for our faith. There will be situations where we will be tested. Persecutions, intimidations and humiliations will come. No one is exempted from this – the saints and even Jesus experienced this. However, what’s different is how we would react to this. Will we let the seemingly powerful people intimidate us? Will we bend our ways to fit into a sinful society, so we can be one with them, so we can be cool with them? We know how we should react, problem is, are we strong and confident enough to stand up for our faith, to stand up for Jesus?

When is following God and his ways not easy? Have I ever experienced pressure, persecution, humiliation or mockery as I follow him? How did I react? Am I willing to stand up and suffer to Christ, if necessary? Do I have faith that God is powerful and nothing is impossible for Him?

Dear God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for this weekend. Lord, I ask that I always be inspired by people who really lived their faith. May I get strength from you to stand up for my faith. May I be confident enough in your will and power and be ready to face whatever as I serve you. May my life be an example that would also bring people to loving, trusting and serving you. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ikaw ang bahala

In today’s WORD (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080312.cfm) , we are reminded again that we decide how we respond to Jesus.

In the first reading, we see two different reactions. Jeremiah, though he knew he would be outnumbered and the task was not easy, chose to listen and obey God’s word. He proclaimed God’s message to the people whom God gave a second chance because He does not want to destroy them. On the other hand, the people chose to ignore God’s message. Their hearts were hardened to God.

In the gospel, we see the same reaction. The people of Nazareth chose to question Jesus’ wisdom. Yes, they knew where he was from and they knew his family, so they thought they knew him too well. They chose not to believe in him. They did not have faith in Him. This lack of faith, as we’ve seen, is the reason why Jesus could not perform miracles in their city. He needed the faith of the people so he can make miracles, and unfortunately, in his own town, there was very little.

Tayo, nasaan?

When placed in difficult situations, who do we choose? Are our hearts hardened to God, or do we have faith in him? Do we insist on our own ways, or are we humble enough to know God knows best? Do I have faith in God? Do I choose to follow him?

Dear God,

Thank you for loving me enough to give me free will. Thank you for letting me choose if I will go for or against you. Lord, minsan naiisip ko, sana wala nalang choice, sana lagi nalang kami susunod sa iyo para lagi tayo magkasama. But Lord, I know that you love me too much to impose your will, even if it is the best, on me. You want me to love you and obey you, not because I need to or because I have no other choice, but because I love you. Lord, help me love you more and more, and help me live my life witnessing to that love I have for you. Amen.

Have a blessed Friday!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps

See related reflections

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/03/harden-not-your-hearts.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/02/lack-of-faith.html

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2012/07/lack-of-faith.html

The Potter’s Hand

The readings today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080212.cfm ), especially the first reading, reminds us that God is the potter and we are the clay.

The potter is in charge of the clay. His hands mould the clay to be what it was intended to be. The potter can do whatever he pleases with the clay. The potter is responsible to shape the clay and bring it back to track when it becomes deformed or far from what it is supposed to be.

God is the potter. We are the clay. He is in charge of our lives. He intends great things for us. He wants us to be like Jesus Christ, because that’s what we were made to be. We were built in the image and likeness of Christ. That’s the direction God takes us. He brings us back to track when we go astray, thus we may feel the force in his hand – not because he wants us to get hurt or he wants us to feel his power, but because he loves us and wants to bring us back on track. Problem is, unlike the clay who has no choice but to follow the potter’s hand, we have an option to cooperate and listen to God, or to insist our own way and break away from him.

Our actions always have consequences. If we resist the potter’s hands, we do not allow him to mould us, and we become far from what he intended us to be. What will happen to us then, when we are finished, when the time of the moulding is over? The gospel says that God will throw the wicked, those who are hard headed, and those who do not want to submit themselves to him, into the fiery furnace. Not because he hates us for not following Him, but because he gives us what we want. IF we constantly go against him, he will put us away from him because that’s what we want, based on how we live our lives on earth.

Do I let God be the potter in my life? Do I feel his hand shaping me? Do I allow myself to be shaped, or do I insist on having it my way? Am I willing to let him be the potter who controls my life?

Dear God,

Thank you for your love. Thank you for not giving up on us. Lord, thank you for your hand that gently forms me and moulds me to become the creation, the masterpiece you intended me to be. May I always be sensitive enough, especially when I feel the pressure of your hand. May my heart be willing to allow you to mould me, even if it may not always be what I want, because as I trust in you and allow you to mould me, I know I will be closer to being the masterpiece you created me to be. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Treasure

The readings today remind me to examine my life and look deep into my heart and see what my treasure is.

The London Summer Olympics 2012 is currently on-going. The best athletes in the world are gathered in one city to compete with each other and with themselves. They gave up a lot to be where they are right now. They trained for years, others probably their lifetime, to be able to be the best they can be, to be able to be the best in their country and represent their country in the Olympics. They gave up family time, night outs, and a lot of things and prioritized their training to be able to achieve their goal, their treasure – to represent their country and win the gold medal.

Athletes do so much to attain their goal, their treasure. How about us?

Have we found that treasure? What are we willing to give up to attain that treasure?

In life, there are different things that motivate us. People save up to be able to be able to buy expensive things – bags, gadgets, cars, etc. People put a lot of effort and time to grow their business or excel in their respective careers. People go out of their way to build a good reputation and image and achieve fame, power and influence. However, these things are temporary. These things will not satisfy us. We will only be wanting more, and thus, the cycle goes on and on.

God tells us that only the kingdom of God, the knowledge of who He is, having a personal relationship with him, is what will truly make us happy. This is the true treasure in life – the one we should strive to find, the one we should give up everything for. Only God can satisfy our lives. Only He can make us happy, contented and at peace. In this busy life, this is something we should work for, something we should look for, and once we find it in us, we will be ready to give away everything to always have this, to remain in Him, knowing he is the only real and true treasure in life.

What is my treasure in life? What is something I really want to achieve or attain? What am I willing to give up to attain this? Is there a place for God in my life?

Father God,

Thank you for your word. Thank you for knowing us and for talking to us. Lord, I know in this life, I have a lot of things I want to achieve or want to prove. But lord, I thank you for reminding me today that no amount of worldly success or achievement can equal the real treasure that only you can provide. Lord, help me look for you in this busy world, and when I find you, may I give up everything to remain in you. Amen.

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-